From War Room to Living Room: Everyday Innovations from the Military

The military’s focus on innovation and problem-solving has led to the creation of numerous items and technologies that have transcended the battlefield and become commonplace in our daily lives.

This accessible reference volume explores 40 of these innovations, from duct tape to microwaves, focusing on the people and events that made each possible. Entries follow a standardized format that covers both the development and initial military applications of each innovation as well as its transition into civilian life. Readers will gain a better understanding of the challenges military leaders have faced for hundreds of years that have spurred these innovations, from keeping tabs on enemy movements to keeping soldiers healthy and well-fed. Each entry also explores the historical antecedents of the innovation, helping readers contextualize the evolution of objects and ideas. A carefully curated list of further readings rounds out each entry, pointing readers toward additional resources for more in-depth study. For readers wishing to focus on a particular category of innovation, a thematic list of entries at the beginning of the volume will help them narrow their search.

Tish Davidson is a medical writer specializing in making accurate technical information accessible and enjoyable for a general readership. She is the author of Medical Firsts: Innovations and Milestones That Changed the World (Bloomsbury, 2023), Hormones: Your Questions Answered (Greenwood, 2022), What You Need to Know about Diabetes (Greenwood, 2020), The Vaccine Debate (Greenwood, 2018), and Vaccines: History, Science, and Issues (Greenwood, 2017), as well as numerous books for children.

Scott Davidson works in and explains high technology as an expert in microprocessor design and test. He directed research on testing at Bell Labs. He has a BS from MIT and a PhD from the University of Louisiana. For over 25 years he has written a column where he finds accessible points of interest in highly technical papers.